Kerry: Afghan candidates agree to audit results

By BRADLEY KLAPPER

Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says both of Afghanistan's presidential candidates are committed to abiding by the results of the "largest, most comprehensive audit" of the election runoff ballots possible.

AP

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry

Kerry stood with the two candidates who are disputing the results of Afghanistan's presidential election on Saturday night. He announced that Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai (ahsh-RAHF' gah-NEE' ah-mahd-ZEYE') and former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah have agreed to abide by a 100 percent, internationally supervised audit of all ballots in the presidential election in Kabul.

Both candidates have agreed to a national unity government.

The prolonged uncertainty about the outcome of the election has jeopardized a central plank of President Barack Obama's strategy to leave behind a stable state after the withdrawal of most U.S. troops at year's end.

Kerry: Afghan candidates agree to audit results

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says both of Afghanistan's presidential candidates are committed to abiding by the results of the "largest, most comprehensive audit" of the election runoff ballots possible.

Kerry stood with the two candidates who are disputing the results of Afghanistan's presidential election on Saturday night. He announced that Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai (ahsh-RAHF' gah-NEE' ah-mahd-ZEYE') and former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah have agreed to abide by a 100 percent, internationally supervised audit of all ballots in the presidential election in Kabul.

Both candidates have agreed to a national unity government.

The prolonged uncertainty about the outcome of the election has jeopardized a central plank of President Barack Obama's strategy to leave behind a stable state after the withdrawal of most U.S. troops at year's end.